Mountain Majesty

Baby Knitting

2010-04-29T04:04:00.003-04:00

It's spring baby time! Not mine of course - a gal at work is due for her first in June, and my childhood best friend had her third just today! So of course, I've been working on some baby sweaters. I enjoyed the first one so much, that I picked up some more yarn to make a couple extra. I don't know if I'll list them on Etsy or just hang on to them for more babies. If anyone has any good patterns - especially for 12-18 months - I'd love to see them!

2010-02-19T14:57:00.006-05:00

I've always loved The Shawshank Redemption, and as a stitcher, I was drawn to the needlepoint hanging in Warden Norton's office covering the safe. I recently decided to reproduce it, and looked everywhere for clear images of the needlepoint. I finally took some screencaps of my own and used my old Drafting & Rendering skills to chart out the pattern. That took a little over a week, and then I started in on the stitching.

I used 28 count Charles Craft Monaco fabric in Antique White, and the finished pattern measures 9"x 18". The frame is a little taller than I'd like, but I used one I already had. I may eventually get one custom made so it more resembles the one from the movie.

In 2007, I had the opportunity to tour Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, where Shawshank was filmed. It was really a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it. I'm thinking of making another needlepoint and sending it to them for display in their museum. You can check out the pictures I took on my tour at my Flickr site.

2010-02-19T14:34:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day Resolutions

2010-02-10T16:59:00.004-05:00

I hereby promise, promise, promise to update my blog on a regular basis! Like, at least weekly. I'm embarking on a huge effort to spring-clean my house, my life, and my crafty goodness. I've been going in too many new directions and it's been pulling me apart, so I've resolved to focus on the my priorities and pare down the unnecessary.

Work is going pretty well, my bunny is completely fantastic, I've been able to read (and finish!) books of my choosing for the first time in years, and the crafty developments march ever onward. I'll add some pictures of recent works as I update more frequently, but for now, here's a picture of the Three Best Friends That Anybody Could Have!

2009-11-04T23:02:00.003-05:00

Oh my gosh, the summer has gone by so quickly! I really have got to get back to updating more regularly.

In the past few months, I've gotten my own apartment, rehabbed some thrift-store furniture, adopted a bunny, visited some friends and made some new ones, and gotten back into reading for pleasure. It's been a pretty good summer!

And as always, the craftyness continues! Right now I'm working on a pair of socks for my friend Doug, made with tofutsies yarn on size 1 needles. They're taking forever, because the gauge is so small, but I'm very pleased with the fabric it's making. He's requested a balaclava with it's own moustache, and I told him not to tempt me.

I've also gotten really excited about Japanese Book Binding. I've made a few of different sizes - three 8.5" x 5", one 8" x 8", and one 3" x 3". I also used a different technique on a 3" x 3" book - 8 folios with 10 pages each, sewn together at the crease and then stitched to a wrap-around cover. I'm not sure how sturdy that one is, but it is awfully cute! I'm really interested in learning lots of different techniques, including leather bound books.

Pictures will follow soon!

Socks!

2009-08-12T00:21:00.002-04:00

I've finished my very first hand-knit socks!

They're made with Cascade Fixation Spray-Dyed Effects. The elasticity of the yarn makes for a very snug fabric with a cushy feel. I like ankle socks, so I stopped these pretty soon after I finished the heel turn.

I was surprised at how easy they were to make. I ordered Knitpick's 47" circs and used their free Toe Up, Two at a Time, Magic Loop Socks pattern. I'll be casting on for another pair soon!

2009-07-10T04:18:00.009-04:00

Hey Everybody! I've entered the July Craftster Challenge, "Picture This," with my machine embroidery piece based on a photo I took at a picnic in Chilicothe, Ohio. Head on over and cast your vote!

Some of the girls I work with at Le Reve have a pretty great knitting podcast called "Here's to Ewe!" Check out MaddieHatter

and RedQueen, on itunes, Ravelry, and at their blog.

Coming soon to the blog: Tiny Coraline Sweater and original pattern!

2009-06-25T14:08:00.001-04:00

Vegas has been good to me so far! I'm hoping to start working for Le Reve at the beginning of July. I can't wait!

Welcome to Las Vegas!

2009-06-07T22:19:00.002-04:00

Well, I'm finally here! After a very long journey from Georgia, I've arrived at my friends Erin & David's house, where I'll be staying while I get set up.

In the meantime, while I'm looking for work, the crafty goodness continues! I've made socks for my Ipod and my GPS - crochet and knitted, respectively, with mercerized cotton embroidery thread. Today I whipped up a wallet out of some vintage seersucker from my mom's basement. My old one had pockets that were getting too worn, and I was afraid of losing my cards.

Now I'm working on a couple of swatches from new and reclaimed yarn. I can't decide exactly what I'm going to make of them, so the swatches will help me decide.

Easter Basket

2009-05-01T20:08:00.003-04:00

I knew a few weeks have gone by since Easter, but it's been such a busy few weeks! I've been so busy finishing up school that I've hardly been able to keep up with my crafting, much less my blog.

So here it is, my custom made Easter basket! The basket itself is made with nylon yellow upholstry fabric and the thickest fuseable pellon I could find. The body of the basket is square, with the corners folded up like little petals. The handle is attached with little blue buttons that match the blue Easter grass.

The basket is full of Starburst, small Snickers, a little bunny bag filled with jellybeans, a chocloate bunny, and an egg with packets of pop rocks. The presents are a Joker toy and Michael J. Fox's book "Always Looking Up - Adventures of an Incurable Optimist." I just finished reading the audio version from iTunes, and let me tell you, it's so much more fun to listen to his voice.

I've mostly been working on projects for school lately, writing my thesis and keeping up with my classes. I have a couple of knitting projects in the works that I'll post pictures of when they're finished. One is the Flame Hat that's finally coming along, and the other is a star-stitch headband that I've designed myself. And of course, Tubey might last forever.

The next major project in the works is my big move to Vegas. I've been scoping out apartments online, finding furniture on Craigslist, and planning my route. I haven't started packing yet - it'll be interesting to see if my clothing or all my fabric & crafting stashes take up more space in the car. Which leads me to another point - why is it so daggone hard to buy a used car?

And an update on an earlier post: the folks at Ravelry presented Mo Rocca with his handknit non-itchy sweater at the last taping. The episode hasn't been broadcast yet, but you can check out the video at the Wait, Wait website.

And I'd just like everyone to know that I'm watching Ghost Whisperer as I type this.... and Jennifer Love Hewett is wearing a headband with pheasant feathers on the side - just like my hairclip, but without the turquoise stone accent. Perhaps once I get the rest of my life more organized, some feather hair accessories will be in order.

2009-04-03T21:21:00.001-04:00

Oh, my goodness, I've been gone so long! But that's because I've been working on the biggest project ever: my master's thesis!

On Monday, March 23, I defended and passed my thesis. Now all I have to do to graduate is pass my classes for the semester, find a job, and the world awaits!

Sweaters for Mo Rocca

2009-03-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

Mo Rocca made a tragic mistake last week during his appearance on NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." He said he didn't care for handknit sweaters because they're always so itchy. Well, of course, the Ravelry community was having none of it. They've embarked on a campaign to knit for Mo, and to prove to him that all handknits are not itchy. Fine merinos and alpacas are quite nice, though I do seem to favor mercerized cotton.

Someone on the boards suggested that those of us who couldn't commit to a whole sweater make some tiny ornament sweaters. That seemed fun and do-able, so I cast on with some green baby yarn I have left over from making slippers. The result is the Team Rocca Jersey Sweater!

Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T02:29:00.000-05:00

The day for all things cute and pink has arrived again... but what's a lovebird on a budget to do? I recommend a return to two old standbys: glue sticks and mix cds!

I made this card for my sweetheart out of some some supplies I already had around the house, one piece of scrapbook paper, and two little spools of grosgrain ribbon. The envelope is also handmade and decorated to match. Inside is a cd of romantic songs, several of which have a sentimental memory attached. The cd is short - only 8 songs - but why overdo a good thing? Here's the playlist:

Oh - Dave Matthews

A Kiss To Build a Dream On - Louis Armstrong

Beautiful - Damian Marley

How Sweet It Is - James Taylor

Somewhere Beyond the Sea - Frank Sinatra

Time of My Life - Dirty Dancing Soundtrack

Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree - Glenn Miller

Can't Get Enough of Your Love - Barry White

Always Knitting

2009-02-14T01:43:00.000-05:00

Things have been going pretty well over at Etsy. I've sold some of my hairpins, my drop spindle, and both my Eowin and Arwen necklaces. Soon I'll be putting up some stitch markers as well, and we'll see how they do.

I whipped up the Zaftig Bra last week, but instead of a 2.5" band, I kept right on going till about 11" to make a terriffic lounging tank. Unfortunately, I found the recommended yarn to be really a little too stretchy for my taste. It may end up on Etsy as well, and perhaps I'll try again with a regular cotton yarn. But at any rate, it's a quick knit and fun to make. I even learned to do short rows with the help of The Knit Witch's great youtube videos. Her instructions are easy to understand and see, and it makes everything so easy.

Now I've cast on for my own variaton of Knitty's Tubey sweater. I'm doing the whole thing in black cotton with a 2x2 rib. I may add some hem and cuff details I like from a Gap sweater I have, but I'm keeping it fairly simple. It's my "homework knitting" - something simple I don't have to think about or look at to keep my hands busy while I do my reading for class.

I'm using Addi Turbos for the first time, and I'm surprised at how much I like them. Before, I've used Clover's bamboo circs, and while I love the wood for the natural feel, the monofilament cable just isn't very flexible. Addi's cable is much nicer and I may stick with it. I've also discovered how much I like knitting rows on my circs. I have a bad habit of losing the free needle while my work is stashed in my bag. After a needle falls out of your bag for the second time, it gets expensive (not to mention infuriating)! I may even be moved to de-stash some of them when I next get ready to move.

Just in case that wasn't enough, I've also cast on for laceweight project. Instead of swatching, I'm making a little headband. I know swatching is super-important, but I just hate to waste the yarn on something useless. And lord knows I'm up to my eyeballs in fabric swatches already. So instead, I'll make something small and see if it's appropriate for what I'm working on. Unfortunately in this case, I don't think it'll be right. I'm still in search for the perfect pattern.

Coming soon: Valentine's Day crafty goodness!

Hairpins

2009-02-04T20:44:00.000-05:00

I've finally gotten my hairpins uploaded to etsy! These are the button ones, and there are also my Road Trip pins and some cute patterned ones.

Back to the homework!

Main Street Yarns

2009-01-31T00:58:00.001-05:00

I got out of work early today and headed over to Main Street Yarns in Watkinsville. I picked up a ball of light green Dolce Amore fingering weight cotton, three balls of Cascade Fixation for the Zaftig Bra (though I may keep going and turn it into a tank for lounging around in), and an amazing skein of lace-weight silk from Claudia Hand Painted Yarns in a variegated blue, green, & purple colorway called Ocean Depth. I also picked up a pair of size 5 circs and size 2 straights while I was there.

I was so glad to go and visit. It's a little intimidating, seeing all the beautiful yarns and the samples knit up. Little baby sweaters, felted slippers, long lacy shawls, and a bunch of people who are just as excited about it as I am. It's like my grown-up version of a candy store.

I'm also sending word out to see who'd be interested in an on-campus knitting club. If there's enough interest, maybe we can get the ball rolling.

Flammarion Woodcut

2009-01-27T19:54:00.000-05:00

For my painting class, I reproduced the Flammarion Woodcut - an anonymous woodcut depicting a pilgrim peeking through veil of the sky to see the inner workings of the universe. Though its original date is suspect, 1888 seems likley; the color was added in 1998.

My version is black acrylic, with the tinting done in gouache, on canvas board. I opted to leave my border uncolored, and I think it sets it apart from the illustration nicely.

The next thing for painting class is to see what I can do about using the mood and style of the above work to inspire a costume design of some type. I did some sketching in class and have a sort of Galadriel-meets-Renfaire thing going on. I'll post it after it's painted.

Another class I'm taking is a "costume problems" class. A large component of the class is focusing on makeup, both for stage and screen. Since the last Ben Nye I bought was cinnamon base and I've long since given away all my white-girl makeup, it was time for a whole new kit. If any interesting photos develop, I'll post those as well.

In my crafting life, I've made a zillion cute bobby pins, I'm fighting with double-pointed knitting needles in a renewed determination to figure out sock knitting, and I've purchased the supplies for turning my old clarinet into a lamp. I have more ideas than time, as usual! I'll let you know how those things go, too.

Finally!

2009-01-23T22:53:00.001-05:00

After nearly a month of spinning for two hours almost every night, I'm finally finished.... sort of. My three ounces of Starlight Starbright batting have now become 150 yards of single-ply laceweight yarn. Next I'm going to have to ply it, but that leaves me with only 75 yards, and I'm still very undecided about what to knit it into.

I wanted to take a spinning class over at Main Street this week because as much fun as I've had making this yarn, I'd really like it to go a little faster. But in the end, I decided not to go. I knew if I fell in love with a wheel spinning, I'd just want to buy a wheel!

For the time being, I'd be better off focusing on my homework. Right now I'm working on a recreation of the Flammarion Woodcut. My outlines are all done in acrylic, and I'm going to do the tinting in watercolor. It's kind of an experiment, so hopefully it'll turn out well.

More pictures of my yarn and the b&w woodcut are over at flickr.

Yes We Can!

2009-01-20T21:08:00.001-05:00

At midnight last night I realized: I did not have a single piece of Obama clothing to wear for inauguration day! What's a patriotic girl to do? Why, follow Corrinne & Rob's advice over on the Threadbanger forums, of course!

After a quick printout of the Obama logo and some colored pencil action, my shrinkies were ready to go in the toaster oven. When they were all cooled off, I coated both sides with acrylic gel medium for a glassy shine, and super glued a pin to the back. Success!

More pictures can be seen on my flickr site, and be sure to check out the Threadbangers for more crafty how-to's!

------------------------------

Oh! I forgot to mention that I also made the blazer I'm wearing in the above photo. Keep your eyes peeled for sales on suiting fabrics, and you can have some nice business attire.

The Dragon Ruby

2009-01-17T00:11:00.000-05:00

Of course, creativity isn't only limited to things that involve sewing and gluing. A dear friend of mine has recently gotten his book published, and my copy arrived from Amazon today! I'm so excited to begin reading.

Welcome!

2009-01-15T00:03:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Mountain Majesty crafting blog! I'm delighted to join the online indiecraft community.

I'm a 27 year old student at the University of Georgia, pursuing my MFA in Costume Design for the Theater. I build costumes and clothing both professionally and for my own wardrobe. My crafty interests include spinning, knitting, jewelrymaking, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Right now, I'm working on spinning up a beautiful 3 oz. batt of fiber from butterflygirldesigns.etsy.com.

At UGA, we're going into tech for Steve Martin's show Underpants. The costumes are bright and bold, and though publicity photos aren't up yet, you can get ticket information here:

www. drama.uga.edu/eents/productions.php

Please take a look around, send me a message, and have a great time crafting!